Morning coffee is probably the closest thing I have to ritual in my life. It's how I get connected with the day. (Hears finish chimes of coffee maker and heads to kitchen)

I've had at least a cup of coffee almost everyday of my adult life. Sometimes it's a very utilitarian cup---convenience store during fill up on a road trip. Sometimes it's special---monitored water temperature, burr grinder, French press. Mostly, it's the daily grind brewed in a drip machine. Simple, convenient. Almost always--one teaspoon of sugar and half and half. It's the way I like it.

If I decide to live it up and go big at one of the many coffee shops in the area, I'll have a cinnamon hazelnut latte. This only happens rarely, though. It's cost prohibitive. Regardless, coffee is a staple. It brings me to life. It transports me to different times and memories.